I Writ to you formerly, of the late Bat­tell with Goring, and of the taking of Langport and Burrough, two Garrisons of the enemy; since which time, the Army hath blocked up Bridgewater, in nature of a Siege, and yet have re­freshed themselves, being necessitated to lie still (if no Enemy had been neer) till our money came up, which arrived here on Wednesday; and the Army Horse and Foot being Mustered were paid on Friday and Satur­day, the rest this day. But Action being most proper for this Army, in order to setling the peace of this Kingdom; the Generall in pursuance of his first opi­nion moved again to storm the Town (for that he was certainly informed they had Victuals, and would be a work of time to gain it) It was unanimously (at last) agreed unto, that is, to storme it, this morning about two of the clock. Yesterday being the Lords day, [Page 4] Master Peters in the forenoon, and Master B [...]lls in the afternoon applied themselves to the encouragement of the Souldiers on any designe they went about, to look upon Christ in all their actions, and to be valiant in his Cause; and about seven at night our Foot being drawn out, and those that commanded the Storme, and For­lorne, Master Peters (in the field) gave them an exhor­tation to do their duties, and God enabled them ac­cordingly: For this morning Iuly 21. about two a a clock, the Generals Regiment began the Storme, being seconded by others, and gave not over till they were a top of the Works with their Colours, and gai­ned the pieces that plaid upon them, and let down the Bridge: whereupon Captain Reynolds a valiant young Gentleman, entred with a Forlorn-Hope of horse, scoured the Streets, and beat them out of the hither Town into the further (our Pikes standing bravely to the horse) This possessed the enemy with that fear, be­ing much perplexed at our taking the hither Town, and 500. prisoners that were part of those that main­tained the hither Works: That the Enemy for the most part quitted the Line on the other side, where we were in hope the other part with Colonell Massie had Stor­med the Town, and entred; but they only gave an hot Alarme while we stormed (it seems being not then ready for it (though the time agreed on) wanting some necessaries) so we lost the carrying the whole Town this time: The prisoners being brought to the Church above 500. in all with Officers; two Lieutenant Co­lonells, they assured they wanted not Ammuni­tion, nor Victuals, only meat for horses and Cattell; we lost not twenty men in the Storme, though [Page 5] in mans Iudgement, such was the fiercenesse of it, for an houre, one would not thinke lesse then a thousand could be slain; It was dark, and it so pleased God that they shot over for the most part. There was not one Officer of [...]te slaine, though many in person led on their men, and did gallantly, as Lieutenant Col­lonell Iackson, Lieutenant Colonell to the Generall, and Collonel Hewson of Collonel Pickerings Regiment. The Enemy being still hardned in heart, was so farre from yeelding, that with Granadoes and other things, they fired that part of the town we were in, and hardly left 3. houses standing, this much inraged our men to see their villany, and the Generall not a little troubled to see a towne destroyed, summoned it once more, send­ing his Trumpet about 5. in the evening, they within were so peremptorie, that they would not so much as offer to come to a treaty, whereupon the Generall com­manded the towne to bee stormed on Colonell Massies side, to morrow morning.

Iuly 22. Tuesday, at the dawning of the day the Ge­nerall (as the night before) in person gave order for the forces on this side to give a fierce alarum with great and small shot, while they on the other side fell on, which on our side was done with great resolution, and but that the tide was up, we might alone have gained the Towne. They on the other side, againe failing to fall on, only giving an Alarum. God by his providence so ordering it that something was wanting, and I hope in the Lord it was for the best, and for the preservation of many a mans life. For this day, the hot Alarum wor­king nothing upon them, which indeed was almost a second storme, the Generall was enraged against them, [Page 6] and least the innocent should suffer among the nocent, sent a Trumpet to the Governour to let all women and children come out of the Town, by 4. a clock this af­ternoon. And accordingly, the Lady Governesse, (one too guilty of the misery of that place) the Lady Hamley, Mistris Marre, and divers others came out, this being done, our great Gunnes and Morter-peeces with fire-balls, hot Irons, &c. plaid against the towne, and in­stantly fired it in 3. places, the wind being great increa­sed the fire, and all on a flame on a sudden, such a ter­ror it wrought upon them, that Tom Elliot came run­ning out to the Generall for a parley. The Generall an­swered him, the Governour refused it the last night, and now that he had brought this misery on himselfe, the Generall would not admit of a Treaty, yet if he would submit to mercy he should have it, in the mean time till he returned a speedy & positive answer, if any Souldier in the Town offered to take off a slate on the house, or quench the fire, our souldiers eryed the cessation should be void, and we would take all advantages, this so ama­zed them that instantly they came out and cryed mercy for the Lords sake, so it was agreed on, and quarter they have for their lives, and have liberty to save the towne; but as those lately come out say, the townesmen do not so fast quench the fire, as the souldiers within in de­spite of this Army, set it on fire in fresh places. I heard Sir Iohn Hele, Master Speke and other of the Commissi­ners say, there are about 40 p [...]ece of Ordnance, 40 hun­dred weight of Match, powder proportionable, victu­als for 2000. souldiers for 4. moneths; 500. we took the other day, above 1000. yet within; Commanders, Reformadoes, Gentlemen, and fat Priests, its con­ceived [Page 7] above 200. Treasure in Plate, Iewels, &c. said to be worth 100000 .l. but all will be consumed with fire, we doubt: The workes of the towne are as strong, as any in England, the moat deepe, yet our foote waded through, all the bridges failing but one, and so got o­ver: It was about 30. foote wide, the Bearer see the storme, and the Towne on fire, be pleased to move for his paines.

Iuly 22. twelve at night.